Don Smith, the Dallas ISD administrator who led the recent investigation into Superintendent Mike Miles, received his lowest evaluation rating in his career a few weeks after the investigation was released.

Miles gave Smith a rating of "Proficient," docked him points for trustworthiness and fairness and called the district's investigative unit intimidating. It was the first time Smith received less than the highest rating in his six years at DISD.

Miles issued the evaluation on Sept. 26, several weeks after an independent investigation found he violated district policies and tried to disparage trustees, according to district documents. Smith's department, the Office of Professional Responsibility, started its investigation in June but handed it in July to to a private attorney after Miles didn't fully cooperate with the initial investigation and tried to interfere with it.

The latest evaluation hasn't been finalized yet because Miles and Smith haven't signed it. The board voted Thursday night to move Smith and the Office of Professional Responsibility under the oversight of the board.

In the evaluation, Miles criticized Smith's investigative unit.

"There is some concern among employees that OPR is not treating employees fairly and that the department unnecessarily intimidates employees and contributes to a culture of fear," Miles wrote. "I would encourage Don to take these employees concerns seriously and work with me to review practices and procedures to strengthen OPR's effectiveness."

During the district's initial investigation, Miles suggested that OPR should shut down its investigation into him because the complainant, former communications chief Rebecca Rodriguez, had agreed to resign after Miles offered a lucrative severance. He also instructed Smith to suspend the investigation “for the good of the district," according to Smith's notes included in the investigation. He also told Smith at the time that OPR was abusive and intimidating.

Smith received an overall score of a 77.5 out of a 100 -- only a few points above the lowest rating, "Below Expectations." Under previous superintendents, Smith never received a rating below a 95, according to district documents.

While Smith received a low score, OPR's immediate director, Norm Epstein, received a perfect score. He got "Exemplary."

Miles signed off on Epstein's perfect evaluation 10 days before he issued Smith's.